Macy’s building owner, others sued over security precautions during December stabbing
Eric Harrison was killed at Macy's in December. His family said there should have been more security at the time of the incident.
1 year ago
(6abc)
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A major Philadelphia department store is closing its doors in March and city officials are trying to put a positive spin on news that many view as a setback.
The department store announced plans Thursday to trim 66 stores, including the one at 1300 Market St. in Center City, as part of closures that will shutter 150 of its locations through fiscal year 2026. The Philadelphia store was formerly the Wanamakers that was used for filming of “Mannequin.”
“While this marks the end of an era for Philadelphia’s retail landscape, it also signals the beginning of a new chapter,” said Commerce Director Alba Martinez. She calls it an “economic opportunity in our evolving real estate market,” with “the promise of revitalization for Market East and Center City as a whole.”
Preema Gupta, who leads the Center City District, said the city’s downtown is evolving and continues to bring in more name brand stores every day.
She said, “Abercrombie, Aritzia, Michael Jordan World of Flight and Equinox” are among the new stores in the downtown shopping district and more are coming.
Gupta believes “the brands choose our downtown because they recognize our many advantages: transit, accessibility, the region’s highest density of residents and a vibrant mixed-use environment that suburban retail will never be able to replicate.”
Councilman Mark Squilla, who represents the area and the Fashion District — which is expected to be partially demolished to make way for a new Sixers arena in 2031 — said the building’s owner TF Cornerstone wants to “re-envision the space.”
Squilla admits losing the retailer is “a challenge” but said it will give the city an opportunity “to look at a planning process for Market East” and “envision the changes to make it a vibrant commercial corridor.” He spoke to the ability of the city to “change and adapt” with the situation.
Paul Levy, the former head of the Center City District who now heads up the board of directors, reminded people of other properties in the neighborhood that have been transformed, including the once-decaying Reading Terminal, which is now the entrance to the Convention Center, the Philadelphia Savings Fund Society building, now a Loews Hotel, and other vacant office buildings that have been transformed into hotels.
Jesse Lawrence, director of planning and development for the city, said Philly is in the “midst of a revival” and this is an “opportunity to jumpstart development along East Market Street.”
Lawrence believes the redevelopment of the building into mixed-use commercial and residential will mean “brighter days ahead” for the Center City site.
Patrick Clancey of Philadelphia Works said it will be reaching out to the management of Macy’s to help displaced individuals transition to new positions after the store closes. He said that might not just mean jobs in retail, but using the city’s municipal college to find employment within the city of Philadelphia.
He stressed the need to maintain good talent and assist the displaced workers in any way possible.
City officials believe a mixed-use redevelopment of the store and its upper office floors will be ready before the Sixers Arena opens down the street in 2031.